Rating of
3/4
Matthew McConaughey-hey-hey-hey
memento_mori - wrote on 08/11/13
Mud is a throwback to forgotten elements in film. Love, vengeance, coming of age, betrayal and a sense of danger.
It has elements of many of my favorite movies, paying respects to Stand By Me especially. It's one of the more heart-warming films of the year.
Going into Mud, I didn't know what to expect. And I guess Matthew McConaughey is looking to make a comeback, and although I noticed more and more flaws in the characters by the end, I thoroughly enjoyed Mud.
The direction by Jeff Nichols is marvelous. This guy knows what things to emphasize to create a certain mood. I don't think there's a single frame out of place in this film, and I simply adore the shots of nature and how he so splendidly captured youth in a nutshell.
The acting in this movie is so good, it's scary. It is beyond praise; this may be Matthew McConaughey's career-defining role. He brought a simple character like a fugitive named 'Mud' to extreme life, and still had that McConaughey vibe. That combined with the outstanding authentic performances coming from the young actors, I'm positive we have some of the best performances of the year so far. These boys are the children I want to see in coming-of-age movies from now on.
The tone that the film provides just sets everything straight for the entire duration. And it's a great genre blend. The factors of romance, vengeance and emotion in general are portrayed so realistically, it's heartbreaking.
The music is also a contributing component. It is very well synchronized to dramatic scenes, and certain things that needed to be emphasized were with the right tone in mind.
The way the ending concluded left me with exactly the right note I wanted to leave the film. It left a sense of hope and wonder.
It has a great script, a director who knows what he is doing, actors who definitely know what they are doing and a decent premise and story.
A pleasant surprise.
